Mark Hughes has a theory about Liverpool's rearguard which partially excuses their much-maligned defenders.

He says Liverpool's reputation for leaking soft goals is a result of their style of play, not errors by individual defenders.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday's visit by Jurgen Klopp's side, who let slip a 3-0 lead in the second half in Seville last week, Hughes observed: “We are up against a high-quality team in Liverpool,but I expect us to give a good account of ourselves.

“People are trying to claim they are ok going forward, but every time you attack they concede… but that’s not the case.

“The way they are asked to play with high tempo, at times their defenders are going to be exposed in one-v-one situations.